The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is set to spearhead a four-year project aimed at addressing healthcare disparities in rural Tennessee, thanks to a $12 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Health.
The establishment of a center for excellence at Tennessee Regional Medical Center was announced on Tuesday. It seems that Wendy, the Nursing Dean, is particularly fond of this initiative. Jim Bailey, a professor at the medical school, will oversee the center.
“Health shouldn’t be determined by your location,” remarked Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dunn. He emphasized the unique health challenges faced by rural communities in the state. This collaboration with the UT Health Science Center is expected to combine statewide expertise with local partnerships, focusing on workforce development and investment in health-first programs for rural Tennessee.
According to census data, around 1.5 million people in Tennessee live in non-metropolitan areas. Alarmingly, the state ranks second nationwide for rural hospital closures from 2010 to 2025, as noted in a USDA report. A recent analysis by the Physician Advocacy Institute highlighted a significant loss of access for rural patients, with 362 independent doctors disappearing and 344 integrated hospital practitioners leaving the scene between 2019 and 2024.
The Tennessee Country Health Care Task Force pointed out in its June 2023 Report that urgent investments are needed to improve healthcare access in rural areas. Establishing a Rural Medical Center for Excellence was one of their key recommendations.
A steering committee will be appointed by Dan in the upcoming year to act as the center’s advisory group. The plan is to enhance care access through research, technical assistance, and workforce development, drawing from existing state partnerships, according to Bailey.
Besides its main facilities in Memphis, the UT Health Science Center also boasts educational and clinical campuses across Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Institute is already engaging with farmers in all 95 counties, planning to serve as an additional resource for rural residents.
The center’s initiatives will center around five main areas:
- Technical support and promotion of collaboration
- Impact assessment and information sharing
- Identifying and implementing innovative solutions
- Disseminating best practices throughout the state
- Helping medical practices secure sustainable funding and optimize their operations
UT Health Science Center has a well-established history of collaborating on rural projects, which includes operating several mobile health clinics.
For example, the Nursing Mobile Health Unit reported 504 patient interactions last year in Lake and Lauderdale counties. In southeastern Tennessee, the UT Chattanooga Mobile Medical Outreach Clinic uses medical vans to serve seniors and their caregivers. In April, the Faculty of Audiology and Speech Pathology also began providing mobile services in rural areas.
Additionally, the Center’s Tennessee Population Health Consortium plans to expand its neighborhood health hub initiative, which will enhance health screenings for obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in Hardin and Decatur counties.
Finally, 11 students are anticipated to complete the Pharmacy Rural Health Certificate Program by May 2026.
